Product Description

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Collins, a former atheist, but most notably the head of the Human Genome Project, presents BioLogos (theistic evolution) for a new generation. Comparing it to atheistic evolution, Intelligent Design (ID) and creationism, he highlights the good points of this proposition that God directed evolution to its resolution in mankind. Working within this framework, he details BioLogosian logic about the origin of life, hypotheses from the Human Genome Project, and bioethics.

Product Information

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Format: DRM Protected ePubVendor: Free PressPublication Date: 2006

ISBN: 9780743293570ISBN-13: 9780743293570

Publisher's Description

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Does science necessarily undermine faith in God? Or could it actually support faith? Beyond the flashpoint debates over the teaching of evolution, or stem-cell research, most of us struggle with contradictions concerning life's ultimate question. We know that accidents happen, but we believe we are on earth for a reason. Until now, most scientists have argued that science and faith occupy distinct arenas. Francis Collins, a former atheist as a science student who converted to faith as he became a doctor, is about to change that.

Collins's faith in God has been confirmed and enhanced by the revolutionary discoveries in biology that he has helped to oversee. He has absorbed the arguments for atheism of many scientists and pundits, and he can refute them. Darwinian evolution occurs, yet, as he explains, it cannot fully explain human nature -- evolution can and must be directed by God. He offers an inspiring tour of the human genome to show the miraculous nature of God's instruction book. Sure to be compared with C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity, this is a stunning document, whether you are a believer, a seeker, or an atheist.

Author Bio

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Francis S. Collins is one of the country's leading geneticists and the longtime head of the Human Genome Project. Prior to coming to Washington, he helped to discover the genetic misspellings that cause cystic fibrosis, neurofibromatosis, and Huntington's disease. He lives in Bethesda, Maryland, and in his spare time he enjoys riding a motorcycle and playing guitar.

Editorial Reviews

-- The New York Times Book Review"The Language of God is a powerful confession of belief from one of the world's leading scientists. Refuting the tired stereotypes of hostility between science and religion, Francis Collins challenges his readers to find a unity of knowledge that encompasses both faith and reason."

-- Kenneth Miller, Brown University, author of Finding Darwin's God"What an elegantly written book. In it Francis Collins, the eminent scientist, tells why he is also a devout believer....A real godsend for those with questioning minds but who are also attracted to things spiritual."

This is an excellent book! I give this one to those people who think that "science" is God. Francis Collins went from being an atheist to being a believer because of what he learned as a scientist. My entire education from high school through college has been the study of science and that has always strengthened my belief in God not reduced it. Francis Collins explains how this same thing happened to him but his expertise as a famous scientist carries much more weigh than does mine.

As science comes within our grasp we see more and more of the realities of how God created our world. This view, that God spoke but once, and all of creation was instantly set into motion, to unfold just as God intended, is a powerful new way to look at how God created his universe. We've always held that evolution demanded atheism. Collins shows us that this in not so, and that God is indeed the author of life, no matter how he chose unfold his story.

At age 78, and a former priest in the Dominican Order, I can honestly say that Dr. Collins' book is the most important book I have ever read. He has answered questions that have plagued me for many years. I have held fast to to the Thomistic principle," Ex nihilo, nihil fit". Yet, I could not comprehend how or why the First Unmoved Mover saw fit to create human beings on this infinitely tiny planet. Now, at least, I can fully accept "It was no accident"!

I bought this book some months back and generally enjoyed it. Like one other reviewer, I also thought the book lacked a WoW factor. Maybe I expected too much from so eminent a scientist. Now that I see that others thought better of it, I might go back and read it again. The book is definitely worth reading, so don't take my reservation too seriously. I just hoped for a bit more. (By the way, I hold the same view of Mere Christianity, so Francis Collins is in very good company.)